SJC Pickleball Group Play Guidelines

We have implemented an A Side (Courts 3 & 4) for Intermediate/Advanced players and a B Side (Courts 1 & 2) for Beginner/Intermediate players. The intent is to split the number of players down the middle so there are about the same number of players on each side and reduce wait times between matches.

Challenge Court 4 – Challenge Court (no beginners please)

Winners may split.

When a player wins twice they come off when 4 or more players waiting for that court. If 6 or more players are waiting all four players come off after the game.

All other courts – Court 1, 2 & 3

Winners may split

If there are 4 or more players waiting for that court, then 4 on 4 off

Waiting to Play – Place your paddle on the court of your choice based on your skill level (please be honest with yourself!)

Court 1 – place paddles to the left of the left gate (P1 on the map link below) with the first to play closest to the gate

Court 2 – place paddles to the right of the left gate (P2 on the map link below) with the first to play closest to the gate

Court 3 – place paddles to the left of the right gate (P3 on the map link below) with the first to play closest to the gate

Court 4 – place paddles to the right of the right gate (P4 on the map link below) with the first to play closest to the gate

General Guidelines

Advanced players are encouraged to play some games on the 4 courts (don’t just play on court 4), adjust your play to level of the 3 other players and provide instruction/guidance to lower level players (only if they want it)
A maximum of 1 advanced player per side on a B Side court (i.e. 2 advanced players should not be playing together on the B Side).

All players must be aware and honest about your individual skill level/self assessment (refer to the guidelines sent previously for expectations of each skill level) and be considerate of the other players. It’s not much fun for beginners to get quickly beat by advanced players and advanced players want to feel challenged

Court courtesy is very important and we all need to improve! Because of our physical set-up, it is necessary at times to move across another court in order for us to enter or leave our court. Therefore, it is common courtesy to WAIT until the point is played out before opening the gate or crossing any courts and MOVE QUICKLY across the courts. Sauntering across courts is impolite to the other players.

SPEED OF PLAY is also important when there are players waiting. Please move quickly between points and side outs, servers should be aware of the score and location of the ball. When there is a ball-on situation, please return the ball to the server on the other court, don’t just swat the ball off your own court.

Most importantly, we wan’t to keep SJCP fun and social. That’s how we got started and that’s what sets us apart from the other places to play in Orange County.